The Charity Accountants' Conference 2023 - Speakers

Fozia joined BBC Children in Need in October 2020 with responsibility for the charity’s impact and grant-making activities. Fozia was previously CEO of the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.

In addition to her professional experience, Fozia has held a number of voluntary, advisory roles on grant making boards. She has been a Trustee at the Association of Charitable Foundations and established the national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) coalition of foundations which supports the implementation of more effective and equitable grant making strategies. Fozia also chaired the Extending Reach Programme at Scouts UK and was a Commissioner for the Inclusive Growth Commission in Luton.

Fozia studied law at LSE and began her career as an Employment Solicitor before moving into the charity sector, subsequently achieving a Master’s degree in Grantmaking, Philanthropy and Social Investment at Cass Business School, City University. She is now a Visiting Lecturer at Cass Business School, on the Charity Management Master’s Programme.

Having worked at Sayer Vincent for 11 years, Jonathan left in 2006 to work as a freelance internal auditor in the international development sector. Seven years later, and after a role with Mango setting up a new consultancy service, he returned – this time as a partner.

He has also been a charity trustee for the last 10 years – currently with INTRAC where he is treasurer and chairs the finance and audit committee.

Debra has worked in the charitable and voluntary sector for over 30 years. Amongst numerous other roles, she is Vice President of the Soldiering On Through Life Trust Awards and co-chairs the judging panel with General the Lord Dannatt. She is a Trustee of In Kind Direct, one of the Prince's Foundation Charities, and a trustee of the Berkshire Community Foundation. She is also an Africa Advocacy Foundation Ambassador for women and girls at risk of or affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

She has served as a trustee of several charities including being the co-founder of the Small Charities Coalition and was its first Chair. She served on the Charity Commission's SORP committee for over 7 years and was the Vice-Chair of Governors of Whiteknights primary school for 6 years.

She is a renowned public speaker with many years' experience of training and coaching and internationally published author of several books on management and leadership including It's Tough at the Top; The Pleasure and the Pain; It's Murder in Management and It's a Battle on the Board. Debra has a regular monthly column in Third Sector magazine and has appeared on Radio 4's The Moral Maze.

Since starting as a Researcher in DSC's Liverpool Office in 2003, Jay has had several roles in research, policy and as a media spokesperson. He loves the buzz of big ideas and debates about policy, public affairs, research, campaigning, politics and social issues generally.

Jay's favourite thing about DSC is connecting with the awesome people in our charity sector, learning about what they do, and building relationships that make things happen. You might come across Jay's quotes in the sector press, his tweeted blogs and opinions, or as a speaker, chair and panellist at events.

Eileen joined DSC in January 2018, and having worked within the commercial teams in charities and social enterprises brought a wealth of experience of generating income and delivering high quality services into the DSC Sales team.

Eileen’s many years’ experience as a trainer in both the commercial and 3rd sectors was then employed as she became a member of the Training team, designing, updating, producing, retailing and delivering courses and workshops.

Eileen enjoys being part of a team that is genuine, professional and totally committed to building sustainable charities with well trained, confident trustees, employees and volunteers.

George joined DSC at the beginning of 2017 and, having previously led the sales and customer service teams, moved into training at the start of 2020.

He trains in Management & Leadership, Fundraising, Personal Development, Project Management and Wellbeing. He has extensive experience in helping organisations make positive changes to how they approach social change.

He is also qualified as a Mental Health First Aider, with additional time spent studying Psychosis.

The favourite part of his role is knowing that the work DSC performs has a major impact on both the charities and individuals that we are able to serve.

Chrissie is a master trainer and coach with over 30 years of experience in management development and communication skills. As Head of Communication Skills at The Industrial Society for 20 years, Chrissie managed the team responsible for delivering training, education and advisory services for high profile clients in the commercial, industrial, financial, public and voluntary sectors.

Chrissie then spent several years with Capita Learning and Development as Manager of the Communication Skills team. She went on to join DSC as Training Manager, where she remained until becoming an independent training consultant. Chrissie believes in the power of coaching for individuals and groups, and has a special interest in seeing people develop, particularly through the culture and management style of teams and organisations.

Mark is a Visiting Lecturer on the Bayes Business School, City University of London, Charities Master's programme and was previously Director of Sustainable Finance for CCE (Cass Business School, Centre for Charity Effectiveness).

Mark has extensive experience both as a Finance Director at CARE International UK and Cats Protection. He has also twelve years consulting experience at CCE, KPMG and Moore Kingston Smith. He has also run his own businesses.

Genny is a specialist trainer in accounting and has 20 years of experience in the charity sector. She qualified with the Association of Accounting Technicians, gained the NVQ 3 in Training and Development, and holds the Higher National Diploma in Business and Finance.

Genny is gifted at simplifying the subject of accounts - she uses a unique style of delivery to convey accounting information in a way that makes sense to delegates. Among others, Genny has delivered training for Community Accountancy Self Help, BME Concern, Greenwich Council for Voluntary Services, Opportunities with Experience, and Canterbury University.

Lucy Rhodes is a senior associate in Bates Wells' charity and social enterprise team and is recognised by the legal directories, Chambers UK and the Legal 500, for giving insightful and pragmatic advice on legal, governance and operational matters relating to charities.

Lucy is a regulator contributor to developments in charity law and policy and gave oral evidence to the House of Lords Special Public Bills Committee on recent changes in the Charities Act 2022.

Chrissie is a master trainer and coach with over 30 years of experience in management development and communication skills. As Head of Communication Skills at The Industrial Society for 20 years, Chrissie managed the team responsible for delivering training, education and advisory services for high profile clients in the commercial, industrial, financial, public and voluntary sectors.

Chrissie then spent several years with Capita Learning and Development as Manager of the Communication Skills team. She went on to join DSC as Training Manager, where she remained until becoming an independent training consultant. Chrissie believes in the power of coaching for individuals and groups, and has a special interest in seeing people develop, particularly through the culture and management style of teams and organisations.

Nilesh joined Cripplegate Foundation in September 2020. Cripplegate is a funder issuing grants to VSOs across the London Borough of Islington and the ward of Cripplegate in the City of London. He provides oversight of the Foundation’s finances and resources, including HR, Properties and its administrative functions and has managed teams of different sizes both within the Education and voluntary sector. Nilesh regularly chairs the Foundation’s internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working group, which aims to further the Foundation’s wider DEI strategy across its directorates, both in terms of grant making, but also beyond that into all aspects of the Foundation’s work, including Finance and Investments.

Paul Brollo is passionate about language and self-expression.  He believes in the power of words to create our reality and in our fundamental right to say what we think and feel.  He also believes we can co-exist with each other while we search for the answers to the most important questions in our lives.  He supports writers at work to know their readers; to be clear about their intentions; and to create understanding and co-operation in their work and lives.  He explores all sides of the debate around gender, language and politics, and he can show you how to exercise your right to speak without infringing on the rights of others.

Mike is a trainer, facilitator, consultant, and coach who is passionate about releasing potential through learning and development. He has 25 years of experience in the charity sector with a focus on health and social care. His work has included front-line roles, management positions, and setting up and running a charity.

By applying brain-friendly, interactive, and accelerated learning techniques, Mike helps delegates to get the best from their training. He has worked nationally and internationally for a wide variety of organisations including the British Ecological Society, Gurkha Welfare Trust, Big Local, Care Trade, Fostering Network, Anthony Nolan, and The Princes Trust.

Charles has over 30 years working for leading financial institutions helping charities navigate the world of investment.

Charles is a proud Trustee of Bowel Research UK, R L Glasspool, a national charity helping people in financial hardship, Prism the Gift Fund, which helps to promote and to facilitate effective and efficient charitable giving and sits on the investment committee at the Foundling Museum.

Stephen Perry is the Interim Finance Director for national social care charity, Community Integrated Care. Having worked in the not-for-profit sector for the past 15 years, Stephen has held Finance Director roles in large charities such as Mencap, Livability and Action for Children.

With vast experience across a number of sectors, Stephen’s areas of expertise include Healthcare, Insurance, Housing and Property, Construction, IT and Telecoms.